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Pin on your support
By Barry Rollings
Volume 49, No. 10, June 14, 2007 |
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HEARTFELT: Families of deployed members can now show their pride by wearing the new Deployed Members’ Support Pin. Pictured is eight-month-old Quinlan with dad CPL Shallum Hogan, who recently deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 114MCRU detachment.
Photo by PTE Shannon Joyce |
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PROUD AS PUNCH: CPL Damien Baird’s wife Jenny with daughters Jasmine (eldest) and Tess and son Flynn after being presented with Deployed Members’ Support Pins at RAAF Base Wagga by Base Commander WGCDR Jenny Fantini. CPL Baird is currently deployed in the MEAO as part of the AP-3C detachment.
Photo courtesy of Jenny Baird |
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Air Force wants to pin it on you – your support for deployed members overseas by way of a badge, that is.
The concept of a supporters’ pin that can be worn proudly by the families and loved ones of deployed members belongs to FSGT Darren Carruthers, formerly from AFHQ and now the CISCON Manager Land/Air OPS at the Defence Force School of Signals.
“The idea for the pin arose from discussions on a Defence spouse forum page that my wife, Anne, is a member of,” FSGT Carruthers said.
“Several spouses were looking for something to show the pride they felt in having a family member deployed.
“A few different options were tested, but the pin ended up being the preferred option because of its visual appeal and durability.”
FSGT Carruthers drew his inspiration from other Air Force pins currently in use, including commendation pins and the NOK (Next of Kin) pin that he also helped design.
“The major change was the inclusion of the ribbon design which was influenced from other military support ribbons used around the world,” he said. The final look was developed by me and Nannette Holliday, the Air Force brand manager at the time.”
The small silver pin is oval-shaped, engraved with the RAAF Eagle in the centre and the inscription “SUPPORTING OUR AIR FORCE TEAM” across the top (as shown above). A bow surrounds the whole badge – symbolic of the yellow ribbon and returning home.
“All members of the family of the deployed member are eligible for the pin,” said Deputy Director Communication and Reputation Management WGCDR Jo Elkington.
The distribution of pins will be managed by the member’s commanding officer.
“The pins have been gladly accepted by the families of deployed members who have commented that it is nice to have something to show while the member is away,” WGCDR Elkington said.
“Children of deployed members can wear it when appropriate at school.
“For most families, it is a small reminder of the anticipated arrival home, and a morale boost, along with the pride for their partner performing their role in Australian military operations.
“There was a tradition in earlier times of supporters’ pins, and this is the Air Force’s most recent way of recognising the sacrifices that family members make when our people deploy on operations,” she said.
One of the first families to receive the pins was that of CPL Damien Baird, a Service Police Investigator currently deployed to the Middle East. At a special ceremony at RAAF Base Wagga recently, Base Commander WGCDR Jenny Fantini presented the new pins to CPL Baird’s wife Jenny, daughters Jasmine and Tess, and son Flynn.
In a thank-you email to WGCDR Fantini, CPL Baird said: “Jenny and the kids were just so excited to receive their support badges and are currently wearing them very proudly.
“It really means so much to them and I am also extremely proud to be part of an organisation that considers their staff and their families in such a way as to carry out a presentation like this.” |
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